Here’s your nationwide roundup for December 2025 garden‑related activities.

 

Here’s your nationwide roundup for December 2025 garden‑related activities—botanical garden winter illuminations and Cooperative Extension programs lighting up the season. Crisp, clear, and across the map.

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Botanical Garden Winter Lights & Holiday Events

• Galaxy of Lights – Huntsville Botanical Garden (AL)
  A 30th‑year winter spectacular: Walking Nights Nov 14–30 (excluding Thanksgiving), Dec 3–6, Dec 17–27; Driving Nights Dec 7–16 & Dec 28–31; plus Dog Nights, 5K and Fun Run events. enych.cce.cornell.edu+1Huntsville Botanical Garden

• Garden of Lights – Brookside Gardens (MD)
  Illuminated pathways from Nov 21, 2025 to Jan 4, 2026, nightly 5 pm–9 pm (closed Nov 24–27, Dec 24–25, Jan 1). Wikipedia+3Montgomery Parks+3Tulsa Botanic Garden+3

• Garden d’Lights – Bellevue Botanical Garden (WA)
  Family-friendly light show from Sat, Nov 29 to Wed, Dec 31, 2025. Wikipedia+7Bellevue Botanical Garden+7Tulsa Botanic Garden+7

• Botanic Garden of Lights – Tulsa Botanic Garden (OK)
  Select evenings Nov 28–Dec 28, 5–9 pm, with s’mores, live music, Santa stops, and festive characters like Elsa, Buzz Lightyear, & Cindy Lou Who. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden+9Tulsa Botanic Garden+9Wikipedia+9

• Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights – Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden (VA)
  Iconic walk-through light display with model trains, s’mores, firesides, and miniature fairy villages—returning in November–December 2025. Extension | University of New Hampshire+11Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden+11Norfolk Botanical Garden+11

• Festival of Lights – Tanglewood Park (NC)
  Drive-through light extravaganza at the Tanglewood Arboretum, stretching over mile‑long loops with 180 displays and over a million lights. Wikipedia

• Magic Christmas in Lights – Bellingrath Gardens and Home (AL)
  Over 3 million lights set across themed scenes, running from the Friday after Thanksgiving through New Year's Eve. Wikipedia+1

• Holiday Lights – Honor Heights Park (OK)
  A botanical garden turned twinkling wonderland with 1.2 million lights illuminating azaleas, trees, and gardens during November and December. Wikipedia

• PNC Festival of Lights – Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden (OH)
  Shows nightly Nov 20, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026, featuring 5 million LEDs, animal lanterns, Polar Express train, puppet shows, and a “Happy Zoo Year” New Year's bash. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

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Cooperative Extension & Master Gardener Winter Events

• Gardening Questions Answered – CCE Orange County (NY)
  Monthly virtual Q&A sessions live on the third Thursday at noon; the December session is on December 18, 2025. extension.iastate.edu+6cceorangecounty.org+6cceorangecounty.org+6

• Other Cooperative Extension winter programs—such as webinars or workshops—weren’t explicitly listed for December 2025 nationwide.

Don't miss these special garden events in November, 2025

 

Here's  a crisp list of garden-related events across the U.S. this November 2025. I’ve combed through extension services and botanical gardens to bring you the freshest happenings.

 

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Botanical Garden Events (November 2025)

• Fort Worth Botanic Garden (TX)

  • Dog Days: November 8–9 – Bring your canine companions for two dog-friendly days with regular garden hours. fwbg.org

  • Member Appreciation Day: November 8 – Members enjoy 20% off in the gift shops. fwbg.org+2missouribotanicalgarden.org+2

  • Members‑Only Quiet Hour Walk: November 8 – A peaceful, guided silent walk at sunrise (7:30 AM). fwbg.org+1

  • Free Admission Day, Veterans Day: November 11 – The garden opens its gates free to all in tribute to veterans. The Washington Post+15fwbg.org+15missouribotanicalgarden.org+15

  • Blooms & Beats: November 14 – Evening live music, food trucks, yard games, and grown-up refreshments under the stars. fwbg.org

• Missouri Botanical Garden (St. Louis, MO)

  • Member Appreciation Days: November 1–2 – Perks for members with special access or offers. United States Botanic Garden+9missouribotanicalgarden.org+9Better Homes & Gardens+9

  • Member Speaker Series: Dr. Lúcia G. Lohmann talks – November 10, 2:00–3:00 PM. missouribotanicalgarden.org

  • Garden Glow & Holiday Flower & Train Show –

    • Garden Glow Member Preview Night: November 14, 5:00–10:00 PM

    • Garden Glow (open to public through Jan 3, 2026): November 15–Jan 3, nightly light spectacle.

    • Holiday Flower & Train Show: November 15–Jan 3, day running model trains and festive blooms.

    • Sensory Night at Garden Glow: November 18, 5:00–9:30 PM.

    • Holiday Around the World Wine Dinner: November 20, 7:00–9:00 PM.

    • Jingle & Mingle at Garden Glow: November 21, 7:00–9:30 PM. Cornell Cooperative Extension+15missouribotanicalgarden.org+15Cornell Cooperative Extension+15

• Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden (Richmond, VA)

  • As Seen in the Garden – Photography Exhibit: Nov 1–Jan 4, featuring Camera Club of Richmond’s seasonal garden photos. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

  • Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights: Nov 24–Jan 4—holiday light event rich with color, decorations, and seasonal cheer. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

• Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens (Savannah, GA)

  • December Nights and Holiday Lights begins late November into December, drenched in a million lights. Wikipedia

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Cooperative Extension & Master Gardener Events (November 2025)

• UNH Cooperative Extension

  • “A Biocontrol Starter Pack” Webinar: November 25, 6:30–8:00 PM. A practical session for greenhouse, nursery, and garden center folks. The Washington Post+3Extension | University of New Hampshire+3Extension | University of New Hampshire+3

• Cooperative Extension Ulster County (NY)

  • 2025 Cut Flower Webinar Series: November 19, noon–1:00 PM—free via Zoom, insights for flower producers. Cornell Cooperative Extension+2events.uri.edu+2

• Cornell Cooperative Extension, Genesee County (NY)

  • Garden Talk: “Gardening Myths: Fact vs. Fiction”: November 6. Bust those myths (yes, gravel in pots is a myth). Cornell Cooperative ExtensionCornell Cooperative Extension

• University of Delaware Master Gardeners (DE)

  • Autumn Garden Landscape Workshop: November 7, Kent County—hands-on learning on fall landscape styling and design. University of Delaware

     

    Return to GoGardenNow.com.

Is there a botanical garden or Cooperative Extension event near you in October, 2025

 

Here’s your nationwide roundup of garden-related events blossoming in October 2025—featuring botanical garden delights and Cooperative Extension happenings.

Autumn's last fingerprints are in the air, and here are the few that won't slip through your fingers.

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Botanical Garden Events (October 2025)

• Halloween at the BOOtanical Garden (Cape Fear Botanical Garden, Fayetteville, NC)
  Oct 23–26 (daily, 4:30–9:00 pm). A glowing, whimsy‑laced family Halloween stroll with lights, costumes, treats, and a bug‑buddy crew leading the way through the garden’s shadows. Dog Night kicks off on the 23rd. Cape Fear Botanical Garden

• Desert Pulse Kickoff Weekend (Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ)
  Oct 11–12. Kick the season off with hands‑on art, interactive photo setups, giveaways, and face‑time with the artists behind the installations. Desert Botanical Garden

• Ongoing: Cactus Clubhouse (same)
  Oct 11–May 10. Child‑centric nature play zone with immersive learning for the little wildlings. Extension | University of New Hampshire+4Desert Botanical Garden+4Cornell Cooperative Extension+4

• Groovin’ in the Garden: Stephen Wilson Jr. (Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond, VA)
  Thu, Oct 2, a soulful evening concert under garden skies. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden+1

• Groovin’ in the Garden: Jeff Tweedy (same)
  Sat, Oct 25, join the music buzz of this garden‑concert experience. Lewis Ginter Botanical GardenThe Washington Post

• Heathcote’s 39th Annual Fall Garden Festival (Heathcote Botanical Gardens, NJ)
  Oct 18–19, 9 am–4 pm. Part garden‑fest, part car show (on the 18th), part Bonsai Expo (on the 19th)—this is tradition with all the fall finery. Desert Botanical Garden+15Heathcote Botanical Gardens+15Cooperative Extension+15

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Cooperative Extension & Master Gardener Events (October 2025)

• Growing Native Plants from Seed (Maine Cooperative Extension Webinar)
  Tue, Oct 7, 6:00–7:15 pm. A down‑to‑earth guide to sowing and nurturing native perennials, complete with critter‑proofing advice. Cornell Cooperative Extension+4Cooperative Extension+4Cornell Cooperative Extension+4

• A Beginner’s Guide to Composting (same series)
  Tue, Oct 14, 6:00–7:15 pm. Learn to build a compost pile that works—seed‑of‑a–legacy stuff. Cooperative Extension+2Fort Worth Botanic Garden+2

• Demonstration Gardens Tours (CCE Rockland County, NY)
  Thu, Oct 2. Wander through Master Gardener‑tended demonstration plots, picking up tips on natives, deer resistance, veggie design, pollinator‑friendly planting, and more. Cornell Cooperative Extension+4Cornell Cooperative Extension+4Extension | University of New Hampshire+4

• Gardening Classes (CCE Orange County, NY)
  Sat, Oct 25, 10:00 am–12:00 pm. Another round of Saturday‑morning classes courtesy of Master Gardener volunteers—the specific topic will depend on the schedule. en.wikipedia.org+11Cornell Cooperative Extension+11Cornell Cooperative Extension+11

• Master Gardener Volunteer Training Open House (CCE Ulster County, NY)
  Thu, Oct 23 and Sat, Oct 25. Curious about volunteering in horticulture? Pop in, meet folks, and get the low‑down on Master Gardener training. Cornell Cooperative Extension+1

 

Exciting garden-related events for September, 2025

 

 

Here’s a nationwide roundup for September 2025—split between botanical garden happenings and Cooperative Extension programs. 

Botanical garden events (U.S.)

• Brooklyn Botanic Garden (NY) – Gardens for Peace — Sat, Sept 6. Free programming around the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden as part of NAJGA’s annual initiative. Brooklyn Botanic Garden

• Birmingham Botanical Gardens (AL) – Fall Plant Sale — Fri–Sat, Sept 5–6. Hundreds of plants grown by Friends volunteers; proceeds support the Gardens. Birmingham Botanical Gardens

• Missouri Botanical Garden (St. Louis, MO) – Gateway West Gesneriad Society Show & Sale — Sat, Sept 6, 9am–5pm. Plus extended evening hours on Sept 4, 11, 18, 25; special programs through the month. Missouri Botanical Garden

• Fort Worth Botanic Garden (TX) – Fall Gallery Night: The Hidden Beauty of Plant Patterns — Sat, Sept 6, 11am–3pm (at BRIT). Fort Worth Botanic Garden

• Desert Botanical Garden (Phoenix, AZ) – Flashlight Nights — Sat, Sept 13, 7–9:30pm (recurring). After-dark trails and desert creatures. Desert Botanical Garden

• Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden (IA) – Fall Bulb Sale (starts) — Sat, Sept 13, 10:30am; plus “Fern Friends” that day and evening happy hours Sept 16. dmbotanicalgarden.com

• Chicago Botanic Garden (IL) – Patterned by Nature Walking Tours; Mosaic Workshop — Tours run weekdays through Sept 19; Mosaic class series begins Thu, Sept 4. Chicago Botanic Garden

• New York Botanical Garden (NY) – NYBG 5K Fun Run / Climate Week — Sun, Sept 21 fun run kicks off NYC Climate Week (Sept 21–27); month view shows ongoing exhibits/markets. New York Botanical Garden+2New York Botanical Garden+2

• Missouri Botanical Garden – Member Speaker Series: The New Romantic Garden — Tue, Sept 23, 11am–12pm; other dinners/performances throughout the month. Missouri Botanical Garden

• North Carolina Botanical Garden (Chapel Hill, NC) – Fall Native Plant Sale — Sat, Sept 27 (members’ preview Fri, Sept 26). North Carolina Botanical Garden

• WSU Master Gardener Advanced Education Conference (virtual, hosted in WA) — While Extension-run, it functions like a garden conference: Fri–Sat, Sept 26–27 (“Cultivating Resilience”). Master Gardener FoundationMaster Gardener Foundation

• People’s Note: Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail announced for NYBG and Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (Austin, TX) starting Sept 25 (runs into Nov). Family-draw, heavy foot traffic. People.com

Cooperative Extension & Master Gardener events (U.S.)

• Purdue Extension (IN) – Master Gardener State Conference — Sat, Sept 13, Hendricks County; tours, container design, planning, more. Purdue University

• Cornell Cooperative Extension (Columbia–Greene, NY) — Sept 13 Wildlife Enhancement Woodland Walk (Siuslaw Model Forest); Sept 17 Pickling in a Water Bath Canner; Sept 20 Fall Gardening Day; Sept 27 Minimizing Deer Impacts; Sept 28 Composting Made Easy. Cornell Cooperative Extension

• UNH Extension (NH) – Beginning Gardener Series: Gardens in the Fall — Workshop on season extension and fall planting (Sept, date posted under Yard & Garden tag). Extension | University of New Hampshire

• UW–Madison Extension (WI) – Foundations in Gardening (statewide online) — Starts Sept 7 (runs to Dec 6). Good credential-builder for staff/volunteers. Extension Dane County

• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension – Wood County Herb Festival — Sat, Sept 13, 8am–2pm (education sessions, vendors, food trucks). Texas Master Gardener Program

• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension – Smith County Herb Fest (Quitman, TX) — Sat, Sept 13, 8am–2pm (Master Gardener event). Smith

• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension – Plant Party (South Texas Rangelands webinar) — Wed, Sept 17, 10–11:30am CT. South Texas Rangelands

• UF/IFAS Extension (FL) – Palms Workshop (Orange County, Orlando) — Thu, Sept 18 (in-person workshop covering biology, diagnostics, care). What's Happening Around Florida

• UF/IFAS Extension (FL) – Regional Fall Plant Sales & Programs — Sept 19–20 Florida Museum Fall Plant Sale (Gainesville); Sept 20 Okaloosa MGV Fall Plant Sale (Ft. Walton Beach); ongoing Sept series in the Panhandle. Gardening Solutions

• UC Cooperative Extension (Riverside County, CA) – Home Gardening 101 (in-person) — Three Saturday sessions in September (9am–1pm). UC Agriculture and Natural Resources

• Texas A&M AgriLife (Williamson County, TX) – Hands-On in the Garden: Fall Lawn Care — September session outdoors at the Georgetown Demo Garden. Texas Master Gardener Program

• Guadalupe County Master Gardeners (TX) – Lunch & Learn: Hobby Greenhouses — Wed, Sept 10 at the AgriLife Extension Office (Seguin). Guadalupe County Master Gardeners

  Return to GoGardenNow.com.